Bicycle And Scooter Accidents

Bicycles in New York are a combination of work, leisure, and necessity. New York’s Vision Zero plan has increased the number of bike lanes and available spaces for riders to enjoy. Whether you work as a delivery courier, ride for exercise, or just enjoy getting out and riding, bicycling in New York is as enjoyable as it is precarious.

Newly available in New York are e-scooters, the next generation of personal mobility. You simply rent one with an app like rideshare, pay for it in the app, pick up your scooter, hop on it and go. When you get there, just leave it at your destination. Need another one? Go back on the app and find another one, pay, pick it up and ride it, then leave it. The company that owns the scooters takes care of the recharging and maintenance.

In both cases, bicyclists and scooter riders face a unique set of risks when they head out for a ride. Both face increased injuries from accidents, whether with a car, road conditions, other riders, and even pedestrians with much less protection than a motor vehicle cab.

Bicyclist Dangers in New York City

Riders of bicycles are required to navigate New York City streets like a pedestrian but compete with motor vehicles.

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law §1231 requires that bicycles observe the same rules of the roads as motor vehicles and are given the same rights as drivers. But under New York’s no-fault law, a bicyclist is considered a pedestrian, not a motor vehicle, and entitled to no-fault coverage as a rule.

Bicycle riders have legitimate concerns when they are in motion. Drivers frequently don’t see bicyclists, even when they are following the rules. Other causes of bike crashes include:

• Failing to yield—when a driver hits a bicyclist while changing lanes, turning, (especially left) or pulling out of parking lots and other places
• Distracted driving—a driver who is on a cell phone or using other built-in technology
• Impaired driving—a driver is under the influence of alcohol or drugs behind the wheel
• “Dooring”—motorists open a car door in front of oncoming cyclists who then don’t have enough reaction time or space to move out of the way
• Reckless driving—a driver is speeding or driving without concern for the safety of everyone else on the road.
• Road conditions—potholes, cracked or crumbling asphalt, or other obstacles in the road that cause a two-wheeled rider to lose their balance and fall
• Inadequate bicycle maintenance—brake pads, tires, or other parts that need replacement or repair that fail while riding

Accidents can leave a bicyclist with more serious injuries than if they had been riding or driving a car.

E-Scooter Injuries In New York City

The. “ride-and-go” Nature of e-scooters is appealing to pedestrians. They can get off a bus or subway, grab one, ride a block or two to the office, then leave the machine behind. Others may simply enjoy the novelty of riding the e-scooter around NYC with no destination in mind.

When many people rent an e-scooter for the first time, it’s also the first time they’ve ever been on one. There are some safety procedures that a first-time rider should understand before embarking on your journey. Unfortunately, many people skip right through the safety briefing. The company will likely shift the blame for the accident to the rider, even if the company is responsible for the accident.

E-scooter riders face the same injuries as a bicyclist. On a scooter, the rider is standing up and doesn’t go over 15 or 20 miles an hour. Helmets are strongly recommended, but not required.

Injuries From Two-Wheeler Accidents

As much as people enjoy riding bicycles and E scooters, both vehicles can be dangerous to the rider as well as pedestrians. Both vehicles offer little protection in an accident, so injuries are much more severe and can include:

• Broken and fractured bones
• Bruises, and lacerations
• Concussions
• Head and neck injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Injuries to extremities, Upper and lower
• Amputations
• Damage to internal organs
• Burn injuries
• Paralysis

In some instances, a rider can be permanently disabled, and unable to return to work.

If your accident was no fault of your own, you may be able to make a claim for damages, such as:

• Medical expenses, past, and future, including:
  • Diagnostics, such as X-Rays
  • Physical therapy
  • Rehabilitation
• Lost wages, including lost future wages and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Disfigurement and scarring
• Diminished quality of life
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium.

The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the number of your losses, and the possibility of permanent disability.

Safety for both scooters and bicycles

New York does not require helmets for riders over the age of 18. However, helmets are highly recommended for both bicycles and riders of e-scooters. Helmets are known to prevent serious head injuries and traumatic brain injuries in accidents.

Although it’s impossible to prevent every accident, you can increase your chances of a safer bike or scooter ride by:

• Always wear a helmet, even if it isn’t required.
• Consider additional safety equipment such as knee pads and padded gloves to protect joints and extremities
• Reflective clothing to increase visibility after dark
• Bicycle lights to assist with night visibility

While accidents on bicycles and e-scooters can be serious, protecting yourself and understanding safety can go a long way in reducing the severity of injuries.

Biglawsuit Can Help

An accident on a bicycle or e-scooter in New York City can leave you with not only devastating injuries but a claim that you may not understand. Working with a personal injury attorney can take one more thing off of your mind so you can rest and heal. When you have an attorney advocating for you, you will be able to recover the maximum compensation available.

BigLawsuit’s experienced bicycle and scooter accident attorneys know you are experiencing a difficult time with severe injuries. Call us at (888) 998-7165 or tell us about your case using our online contact form. We will review your case at no charge and let you know about your legal options with no obligation.